Editing Character:Li Jian Chu (section)

==History==
Jian Chu was born into the Li family, one of the most powerful clans in Chosaten. As the youngest son he wasn't expected to take over the reigns of the family's trade empire and so his education was focused more on scholarly matters than on the mercantile arts. His parents had chosen well, for Jian excelled in these subjects, learning history, sciences and languages with almost playful ease and even progressing far in the theories or mortal essence manipulation. His instruction in the martial arts - for without kung fu no education is complete! - went less well. Though he was quick and persistent in his efforts Jian wasn't very strong and had trouble remembering the correct movements whenever he had less than a few seconds to mentally prepare himself. "The boy is simply incapable of forming muscle memories," his teachers despaired. Though bothered by his failure Jian compensated through intellectual capabilities and grew up to be a valued scion of Li, representing the scholarly side of the family.

It was on the return journey from Sijan where the Li's founding ancestor lay buried that things changed forever for Jian. A powerful army of bandits attacked the caravan and while his parents and older brothers fought valiantly Jian could only run, fleeing from pursuing bandits until he entered a nearby forest where they would no follow him. With good reason it turned out, since this forest was cursed by the presence of a noble of the Fair Folk, who had claimed it as his territory and played cruel games with all mortals who dared to enter. For days Jian stumbled through dense woods, tormented by confusing glamors and inhumanly beautiful hunters. Finally, terribly weakened in body and mind he reached the other side of the small patch of forest. Appreciative of this mortals mettle the Fair Lord appeared himself now, claiming the young man for himself and reaching out to bring him back over the line demarcating the border of his territory. But another power had been impressed by Jian Chu endurance and cunning in evading his hunters. As a silver-haired woman helped Jian to his feet and offered him water the Fair One hesitated, then cursed mightily as he recognized the Silver Lady herself. Incapable of opposing one of the Incarna he had to turn back and return to his palace empty-handed.

Soon after his Exaltation Jian Chu was found by the Silver Pact and began studying under the ancient No Moon He Who Makes The Rivers Cry. His aptitude for matters intellectual once more showed as he quickly mastered the sorcery of the Emerald Circle. But even more importantly to Jian, who had had to leave his family behind during the bandit attack, this wise mentor found a teacher for his young pupil, one that could instruct him in the martial arts in a way he could comprehend. Maybe the Lunar Exaltation breaking open the channels of instinct and body awareness was another factor, but that mysterious sifu about whom Jian can remember few details was the decisive one. For the first time in his life Jian could *understand* what he was learning and that made all the difference.

A full year after that fateful day of the bandit attack Jian Chu, now adorned with silvery tattoos and carrying the full power of one of Luna's Chosen, returned to the Li family holdings. There he found his oldest sister, who had been too sick to follow the pilgrimage to Sijan, leading the family with an iron hand. Suspicions abounded and accusations flew back and forth as the brother who was believed dead had suddenly returned. But as the days and weeks went on with neither Jian becoming a man-eating monster nor Li Yue turning out a patricidal tyrant the two slowly began to mend their cracked bonds. Family has to stick together after all, especially with so many lost to the wheel of reincarnation. Although his Moonsilver tattoos make it a political necessity to keep him in the background Jian's skill at managing complex accounting books and deal with problems of the occult sort is invaluable to the family. But his true goals he has set much higher. Rendering the Hundred Kingdoms safe for all travelers and allowing commerce to prosper without fear, that is his dream. And one day he will return to that haunted forest and visit his righteous vengeance on the Fair Lord.